Ultratravel The Season: winter 2011

New Year's Eve celebrations

December 31
Allendale, Northumberland

The thrillingly sinister annual procession of men bearing lighted tar barrels
looks rumbustiously pagan but dates back to 1858, when strong winds stopped
revellers illuminating their music sheets with candles and someone suggested
using tar. Further soak up local atmosphere by staying at a castle – this
area has more than anywhere in Britain, Lumley being one of them.